Slicing machine



Nov. 6, 1951 D. A. MEEKER ET AL 2,573,859

SLICING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 g MM 1951 0 D. A. MEEKER ET AL 2,573,859

SLICING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 1: mm H u I00 2 l QYENT RS 535M SLICING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 20, 1946 .mw Q9 m9 om OE 0 mm m: 2 l m O .EL E w: R @2 3. .2. 9

INVENTHOR .Nov. 6, 1951 D. A. MEEKER ET AL SLICING MACHINE Filed Dad. 20, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 A INVENTO 5 3M4. ML gi BM WATTOR NEYS NOV. 6, 1951 D, MEEKER ET AL 2,573,859

SLICING MACHINE Filed D60. 20, 1946 9 Sheets-Shet 6 WM ATTORNEYS v D. A. MEEKER ET AL 9 SLICING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 D. A. MEEKER ET AL SLICING MACHINE Nov. 6, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 20, 1946 m INVENTOR I Q B gyig M? Patented Nov. 6, 1951 SLIOING MACHINE David A. Meeker, Troy, and Ernest A. Reussenzehn, Dayton, Ohio, ,assignors to The Hobart Manufacturing Company, Troy, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 20, 1946, Serial No. 717,566

This invention relates to slicing machines. It is the principal object of the invention to provide a slicing machine of the gravityl feed type which is simple and economical in construction and which is so arranged that with a minimum of effort the entire machine can be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

It is also an object to providesuch a machine which is constructed with a minimum number of parts which can be easily and cheaply manufactured and assembled, and in which the parts exposed to the foodstuff may be given a smooth surface finish facilitating the maintenance of the entire machine in a clean and sanitary condition. g

It is a further object to provide a frame which extends in impervious relation beneath the knife and the path of travel of the carriage and which is shaped in such manner as to facilitate the cleaning of the machine and the discharge of scraps of the work material rearwardly and onto a slice tray removably provided at one end of the machine and in position to receive the slices directly thereon. i

It is another object to provide such a slicing machine which incorporates a simple and effective mechanism for mounting and adjusting the gage plate assuring accuracy of setting and substantial freedom from looseness and play.

It is also an object to provide such a gravity feed machine having a downwardly inclined work receiving carriage firmly mounted for reciprocation on a supporting frame such that the machine operates smoothly and freely and substantially without play under all normal forces which are applied during use. I

It is a further object to provide a pusher plate construction which is normall biased to a predetermined position which assures the proper engagement with the work material .when'the same is used for feeding the work to the knife, and in which it is properly oriented. so that when swung out of the carriage to its inoperative position, it will be held in proper position to be received in latching engagement over an abut-- from the following description, the accompapya ing drawings, and the appended claims."

4 Claims. (Cl. 146-102) In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view. in perspective of a slicing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the same from the operators end of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the machine with the pusher plate in its inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the knife and its supporting and driving mechanism on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view centrally through the work supporting carriage and the frame on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a detail view partially in elevation and partially in section showing the mechanism for adjusting the position of the gage plate on the line 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a view partially in plan and partially in section showing the construction of the pusher plate;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the end of the pusher plate arm showing the construction which protects the machine from accidental contact with the pusher plate;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a detail of the mechanism for securing the knife plate in place;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a detail of the slide construction for mounting the carriage showing the means for securing lubrication of the carriage supporting bearings, on the line Il-ll of Fig. 12; v

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional View on the line 12-42 of Fig.11;

Figs. 13 and 14 are views showing different positions of the pusher plate with respect to the work carriage;

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the forward portion of the machine looking upwardly from beneath the same;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view through the frame of the machine rearwardly and below the knife, and on the line l6l6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view through the rail on an enlarged scale showing the retainer clip for detachably securing one end of each of the slide rails in position;

Fig. 18 shows a similarly enlarged side view of the rail with the clip mounted into place;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged details view of the mounting for the opposite end of the rail; and

Fig. 20 is a small subassembly of the knife and 1) Substantially horizontal.

knife guards to show the location of the notches that receive the lugs on the knife plate.

Referring to the drawing which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ma chine comprises a main base member It which extends across the entire lower portion of the machine, serving as a ,base and main supporting frame. The .unoler'surface of the main frame member is suitably ribbed as shown at [2 (Fig.

) to afford additional strength while avoiding.

unnecessary weight. Preferably thi member is made of a relatively light weight material such as a suitable aluminum-containing alloy so. as to reduce the overall weight and keep the machine readily portable. If desired the outerex? posed surface may be suitably finished to provide a smooth surface which can bereadily kept in a clean and sanitary condition, such-surfacebeing frame. and facilitatingEthe collection .and discharge of all such material in alocation from which it can be easily removed by a simple wiping operation.

" The motor shaft is shown at 30 (Fig. 5) extending into the raised portion of the frame and having secured thereon drive worm 3| which either painted or preferably anodically-treated The base carries mountings for rubber cushion members M which maybe located at thefour corners to provide for resiliently Supporting .the entire machine in non-slipping engagement and with the lower edge of the mainirameraised slightly above the supporting surface.

At one side the frame member ID is formed with a generally rectangular opening itv (Fig. .16)-.having a surrounding rim whichis relatively flat on top and thus is adapted to receive a slice tray I1. Preferably the frame member is grooved a indicated at [8 (Fig. 16) and 18 (Fig. .2) the grooves extending at right angles to each other aloneonesideand end providing for the edge .of the tray being slidably received and locked in in Figs. 3 and 5. Tray I! may suitablybe formed as either a molded. metal, stamping or. plastic element, the surface of which is smooth and easy to maintain in a clean and sanitary condition and as will be evident from Figs. 2, 3 and 6, ex-

tends over a substantial ,part of the length: and

width of the base, entirely underlying the gage plate and the cutting portion of the knife.

The .base is formed with an integral upwardly extending part 2!) at the rear side'thereof, and

within this portion there is received the drive motor, the end cap of which is shown at 2| ;(Fig. The motor thus stands with its drive shaft On the forward side, the main frame is provided with an integral upwardly extending curved part 22 which extends along the front face of the machine with a vertically extending wall portion '23 (Fig. 6) on the forward side, such curved portion 22 forming an enclosed cover construction for enclosing and protecting the slide rods on which the carriage is mounted. I

Between the rearward portion 213 and the forward portion 22, the frame is' formed with an integral curved part or collecting trough 25 which has a definite slope'from the rear-of the machine "downwardly toward the slice'tray H, as shown 15 ".meshesl'with a worm gear 32 keyed by means of key 33 to a knife shaft 34. A look nut 35 kept tight by screw 36 provides for detachably securing 'the'worm gear SZ in position on the shaft.

The knife shaft is journaled in ball bearings 31 and 31' respectively which are supported in a sleeve member 38 supported in the rear frame element "20. Bolts 39 provide for removably .se- .curing the sleeve in position. As shown in Fig. 5,

the shaft is supported'at an angle to the hori- "mounted at a'convenient location in the base,

preferably adjacent the operatorsposition.

The knife 45 (Fig. 5) is formed with a recessed face 46 and is suitably secured'to the knife shaft 34 by means of a series ofbolts 4], the knife being centered on the projectingiend 4B of the knife shaft. Suitable sealing elements 49 prevent escape of lubricant outwardlyonto the knife surface. A center abutment pin49a of fiber or the like is adjustably threaded into the end of the knife shaft to form a support for theiknife guard plate and seats against an inner threaded pin 4% of steel. The inner pin" is first positioned in proper location and" then the outer pin seated against it, the rotation 'of the knife keeping the outer pin tight against'the inner pin.

Sleeve 38 is provided with aflanged portion 50 and with a peripherally grooved portion 5| which is adapted to receive the lockingfflange 52 of a pair .of knife guard members comprising lower member-Rand upper member 54. The two knife guard members 53 and .54 each cover approximately half of the knife periphery, and are adapted to be inserted and removed in a predetermined order of sequence. Thus the flange 52 of the knife guard member53 is provided with an inwardly extending lug 56 (Fig. 20) which passes through a slot 51 in flange 50, and upon the subsequent turning of the knifeguard member 53 about the axis of theshaft 34.,locking lug 56 will engage and look into the groove 5| (Fig.5) to prevent direct withdrawal of the guardmember while allowing it to rotate around to its final operative position where it engages a stop pm. After the lower guard member 53 has been so positioned and locked in place the upper guard member 54 is moved downwardly into position without rotation, this member carrying a lug 60 having a tapered opening 6| therein which is adapted to align with a pin 62, carried as shown in Fig. 5 in frame member 20. Pin 62 is yieldably urged toward locking position by means of spring 63, but

may be manually withdrawn through the operation of a button 64 attached to the end of the pin and accessible on the outside of the frame. When the upperguard member 54-is to be positioned in operative position it may beipi'essed downwardly and pin 62 will snap intoposition to retain both guard members in locked position. The end of the pin 62 is tapered and thus a firm locking engagement is established when the tapered pin engages the correspondlingly tapered opening. 6|. Preferably the lower end 66 of the lug 60 is likewise tapered so that as the guard is move downwardly into operative position the tapered end 66 contacts the tapered pin 62 to cam the pin backardly and thus facilitate the establishment of the proper locking relation. In order to remove the guard it is necessary for the operator manually to move button 64, withdrawing pin 62 from engagement in slot 6|. No manual operation however is required to lock the guard in place and the guard can thus be assembled by a simple movement of one hand. Cross reference is made to copending application Serial No. 455,808, now Patent No. 2,412,962 filed August 22, 1942,.and assigned to the same assignee as this application which shows certain of the features described above.

In order to protect the front face of the knife and to provide support for the work material after the same is reciprocated across the knife face, a knife guard member or knife plate 19 is provided which-as shown in Fig. 3 overlies the greater part of the front face of the knife, leaving only the cutting edge 1| thereof exposed. Preferably the knife guard is likewise recessed as, shown at 12 (Fig. 5) to fit within the recessed face of the knife and provide a smooth supporting surface for the work material as it moves across the face of the knife. The knife plate is supported from the knife guard 53, 54 through the provision of a plurality of spaced arcuate recesses 13 and 14 (Figs. 10 and 20) in the lower knife guard 53 within the annular rib 15 on the front face thereof. Similar recesses 16, ll are formed in the same relative positions upon guard 54. Co-operating with such recesses are lugs 18, which are formed integrally with plate 10 and shaped to correspond with the recesses to thus lock the knife plate in properly supported operative position. A handle 19 secured to the upper portion of the knife plate provides for convenient handling thereof.

In the assembly and removal of the knife plate Iii, the lower guard member 53 is first placed in operative position as described above and knife plate 10 is then moved into operative position with its two lower lugs 18 engaging in the lower grooves l3 and 14. The upper knife guard member 54 is then moved downwardly into operative position in the manner described above, this movement providing for the upper pair of lugs 18 being received in the upper groove I6, 11 where it is locked in place to thus securely support the knife guard in operative position against the downward force applied by the work material moving in the carriage. The abutment 49a is suitably adjusted to support the plate from the center thereof to avoid deflection under load. It will also be clear that with this construction the knife guard is prevented from movement either in the plane of the knife, normal thereto, or with a rotary motion, and is thus securely held in proper operative position while at the same time it may be readily removed for cleaning and as easily reassembled. As will be clear from Fig. 5, the lower guard 53 because of its angular mounting upon the inclined knife does not obstruct the scrap passage 25 but leaves it free and clear for application of a cleaning cloth in the hand of the operator.

A gage plate is shown at (Figs. 2, 3 and 6), and it is mounted in side-by-side relation with the knife and at such an angle that it is substantiallyparallelwith the plane of the knife, both of these elements being supported with their plane substantially normal to the downwardly inclined pathof travel of the work material moving through the carriage. Means are preferably provided for adjustably supporting the gage plate to provide for the movement thereof in planes which remain parallel with the knife plane, while at the same time providing for increasing the lateral spacing between gage plate and the knife as the thickness of the slice is increased, the gage plate being at all times firmly supported so that it isvsubstantially free of looseness or play as it periodically supports or engages the work material as the same is reciprocated in the carriage.

This construction comprises a gage plate support 8| at the rear of the gage plate on which thegage plate is mounted by means of a series of bolts 82 through the use of a clamping plate 83. The member 6| projects downwardly in enclosing relation over the clamping plate structure to facilitate the maintenance thereof in a clean and sanitary condition. The support 8| carries a pair of guide pins 85 and 86 which are slidably mounted in openings in projecting bosses 81 which are formed in the wall of the main frame element 22 (Fig. 6). As shown the bosses 8'! have substantial axial extent, and project entirely through the cover member 22 to provide an extended area of support. The pins 85 and 86 are thus guided for sliding movement so that the gage plate moves parallel with the plane of the knife or at an angle to the horizontal, of approximately 45". In addition as shown in Fig. 15 the two pins do not extend directly transverse of the machine, but'are mounted" at an angle of approximately 30 thereto, this being the construction which provides for increasing the gap between the edge of the gage plate and the knife, as the thickness of the slice is increased.

The mechanism for adjustably setting the gage plate comprises a hand wheel 90 rotatably carried on a shaft 9| (Fig. 7) journaled in a boss 92 formed integrally in the end portion 93 of the main frame member I0, the hand wheel carrying suitable indicia on its skirt indicating the slice thickness. In order to take upany end play in shaft 9|, a pair of lock nuts 94 are threadedly received over the forwardly projecting end of the shaft and are suitably tightened against the frame member'93 to prevent such end play.

In order to provide for zero adjustment of the gage plate, the forwardly projecting end of shaft 9| is threaded both externally and internally. Lock nuts 96 mounted on the external threads receive between them a drive plate 9'! which has a pair of apertures 98 through which the locking and driving pins 99 and I00 are received. Preferably the two pins 99 and H39, as well as the respective apertures in which they are received in plate 91, are located at different radial distances from the center and hence can be received in only one relative assembled position. The hand wheel is removably secured on the end of the shaft by means of a screw llll engaging in the internal shaft threads. A stop pin I02 is fixed in the boss 92, clearing the shorter pin I00 and projecting into the path of the longer pin 99, thus forming a stop to prevent more than a single revolution of the hand wheel. Furthermore it provides for relieving the lock nuts 96 of excessive strain in' the event that the operator at:

egms'gatc 7 tempts to force the rotation of the: hand wheel beyond the limiting position in either direction.

From the above itwill be clear that the=screw I I- having beenremoved, the hand-wheel 90 may be directly withdrawn thereby exposing the ad;- justing mechanism. B'y loosening and resetting the lock nuts 96, the zero position of the drive plate 91 can be adjusted. Whenthe parts are then reassembled in the manner showninFig; 7, the new adjustmentis' definitely secured and no further manipulation of the setting: mechanism is-ne'cessary, the hand wheel'bein'g merely moved into position and secured by screw IOI', entirely enclosing and protecting all the" adjusting mechanism.

A coarse threaded spiral worm I05 is secured to the end of shaft 9|, the threads preferably having tapered" side walls. A follower pin. or shoe I0-I (Fig. 6) having a matchingtaperediend i'scarried by a lever member I08 being axially movable therein and yieldably' urged. into engag ing relation by means of a leaf spring I09 bolted to the lever. The lever ispivotallymounted at an angle of about 45 to the horizontaltby-means of bolt IIO to a boss III which projectsd'ownwardly from the portion 22 of the main frame member asshown in Fig. 6. A slot. III? is: formed in the end of lever I08 and a pinI IAWhich is secured to guide pin 86 travels in this slot 3 to cause axi'altravel of the pin as the shaft is turned.

From this description it will be evident that upon therotation of hand wheel 90', shaft SI and worm I05 are rotated, fo1lower'I0I- traveling in the worm groove-and causi'ngthe' swinging of lever I08 about theaxis of bolt IIO. This produces an arcuate travel of slot H3;v causing the pin I Mto effect an axial movement of guide rod 86', thus moving the gage plate 80 in the plane of movement as previously" described. It will be further noted that the follower" I01 is yieldably urged into continuing engaging relationin the worm groove I05, and is thus adapted to maintain a close working fit eliminating: loosenessof play or backlash: even" after extended periodsof use and notwithstanding the continuing variations in loading appliedthereto underthe feeding action of gravity, supplemented to a greater or lesser extent by manual pressure; It: is thus only necessary properly to determine the zero adjustment of the gage plate, and the remaining settings will. be? accurately reproduced,,without lost' motion or'blacklash; Preferably theengaging surfaces of the" follower I0'I- and the spiral groove in' the-worm'arei surface'hardened'tdminimize'wear.

In order to support the carriage forits' re=- ciprocati'ng movement with its work. receiving surface inclined downwardly'at' theproper angle; a pair of parallel guide" rods I20 and I2I (Figs. 6'and are fixed in position in the mainframe of the machine. As shown in Fig. 6 rod I is located below and: laterally displaced with. respect t'o-rod- I'2-I both suchrods being within the portion of the frame enclosed. by member 2-2; In order to provide for assembly andremoval of the rods-while maintaining'themaximum available axial length thereof,. each rodv adjacent its one end is provided with a grooved portion I23 (Figs; 15 and 18) withiniwhich there is received a retainer clip I2 3 which has-a right angularly bent flange I 25 to facilitate handling (Figs. l7 and 18); The clip has two prongs: I26 which fit downwardly over the. groove I231 of." the shaft. At it opposite end. each of" rods; I20? and; IN are recessed to receive a compression spring I! (Fig; 19) therein which seats in sockets I 28 formed in themain frame of" the machine, these springs normally urging the rods toward the ends having the clips so that when in place; the clips lock the rods securely inthe framebut allow release thereof upon manual moving of the rods against the springs. A retaining wire I 29 isthreaded through adjacent legs of the clipson the two rods I20, I 2I to secure them in assembled position. Upon release of wire I29 and withdrawal of theretainer clips, each shaft may then be withdrawn axially through the opening in the main frame I0.

It will be noted that the two rods are offset from each other in substantially the angular relationship-of the carriage itself, the carriage extending to both sides of the rods so that its vertical projection includes the rods. It is thus evident that as different sizes and weights of work material are placed in the carriage, the bearings are subjected to loads and stresses which vary widely in amount, and, depending upon' the way in which pressure is applied to the carriage by the operator, may vary in the direction of their application. It is important therefore that the carriage be so mounted that it is supported for'free and easy reciprocating move ment, and at the same time in such manner that there will not be any objectionable looseness or tendency for the carriage to bind on its supports.

The lower shaft I20 carries a bearing member I30 (Figs. 6 and 15) which has an upwardly opening socket portion I3I. The upper rod I21 likewise carries a bearing member I32 of greater axial extent than member I30, and which also is provided with a downwardly opening socket member I33 which is in direct alignment with socket I3I; A pin I35 is held in socket I33 by means of set screw I35 and has free sliding engagement with the cooperating socket I3I. This provides for fixedly relating the two socket members, but permits limited movement of one relative to the other as necessary to compensate for any misalignment in the two shafts I20 and I2I. Resilient bumpers I38 (Fig. 15) are carried at either end of bearing I32 to cushion the jar of operation at either limit of travel.

In order toprovide for lubrication of the two bearings, the upper bearing member I32 is formed with a well I40 (Figs. 11 and 12) which is adapted to receive a quantity of lubricant; An opening MI is provided in the front wall' of the well, this opening being accessible from the front side of the machine and providing for application of an oil can thereto to refill the welli A- wick I44 has one end extending into the well I40 and the other end preferably extending downwardly through a passage I45 formed at the side of the bearing member I32 to a positionwhere it loops upwardly around lower guide rod I20 continuing around upper guide rod I2I' with the end of the wick inserted between upper and lower assembly of the wicking, thus providing for complete lubrication of both guide rods.

The upper bearing member I32 is provided with a forwardly projecting part I50 which. extendsoutwardly beneath the forward face 23. of the mainframe member. Preferably a cover plate I5I is bolted in position, on the front face oftheframe by means of. bolts I52 (Fig. 4), enclosing;v the front side of. the machine,. while leaving a space I 53 in the form of a slot through which the part;.l50";projects and which-it trans; verses; in its .lreciprofcating movement: 1 r

;;A curved supportinglarm 155 (Fig- 6). isdetachably mounted'uponthe member I50, having adownwardly opening notch I56 adapted to be receivedover and rearwardly of a headed stud I5'I. secured to memberv I5Il.: Likewise the arm I55 carries a clamping: plate I58 and a: thumb screw I59 which provides fondrawingthe clamp-J- ing plate .intov engagement with the upwardly ex.- tending plate I60 formed as apart of member I50. A spring I6I normally retains the clamping plate in clearance position, thus facilitating the movement of the .arm into the operative re-. lation shown in Fig. 6. This isestablished by engagement of theslottedend I56 over the stud I51, and when so. engaged the thumb. screw I59 istightened to securely draw th clamping plate I58 against the plate I60. A handlev I62. (Figs. 2 and 4) is provided on a rearwardly extending arm I63 formed integrally with the support. I55 for reciprocating the carriage...

The work carriagecomprises two plates, a near plate I65 toward the operators end of the machine,. and a far plate I66 awayfrom the oper.- ators. position, and intheforward direction of travel of vthecarriage duringthe-cutting stroke, these two. plates being arranged and/mounted at right angles to each other (Fig. 13) Preferably the far plate I66 is mounted at a greater angle to the horizontal than plate I65, affording an improvedsupportof the work during the cutting, and giving alonger slice, and as shown in Fig. 13 these angles may .be 50 and 40 respectively. Transversely Of. the machine, both plates are so supportedon arm I55 that they are inclined downwardly at an angle of about 45 and normal to the knifeand gage plate as indicated in Figs.2and6. I The near plate I65 is formed with an extended tongue portion I68 adjacent its lower-side, to make sure that the material does not workbeyong therear edge ofthe carriage. The far plate .l66 'is provided with 'an outer lug. I (Fig. 8) and aninner lug I'II between which there extends" the slide rod I12. This rod serves as a support fortthe pusher-plate assembly, comprising a pusher plateiarm I14 having roller bearings I'I5 spaced from each other and providing forboth'axial movement of the pusher plate armalongrod I'I2land for thearcuate swinging ofthe pusher plate arm aboutithe rod to lift the pusher plate awayfrom the carriage.-

In order to, prevent interference between the pusher plateand the knife guard, means "are provided for preventing the lifting of the spusher plate abovethe carriage while it is in its ad's vance position, as shown in-fulllines in Fig. 8.

This means comprises an inclined cam I'I6 (Fig; 9). located on lug- ITII, and'jwhich .is adapted to cooperate with a cam surface IwI'I formed onarm H4. The relationship of these cam surfaces is such that when the arm I14 is moved inwardly to its inner limit of travel adjacent the knife, the two cam surfaces will engage to prevent the pusher plate from being lifted above. the tray to any material extent, thus assuring against, interference between the pusher plate and any portion of the knife or knife guard. If such operation is attempted, thecOoperating sloping faces of the two cam surfaces will resultinforc-P.

ing the pusher plate armrearwardly away from the knife, to such position that if lifted up'no obstruction willoccu'ri In order to prevent the pusher plate from being b atedby lifted entirelyyclear of the tray in the greater portionjof itsmovement toward and away from the knife,,,, theupper. edge I of the plate I66 extends: adjacenta flange I8I (Figs. 13 and 14) formed on the lower side of the pusher plate arm H4. While this permitsthe pusher plate arm to beswung above the carriage a limited distance, it prevents it from being lifted beyond the vertical position, and as shown in Fig. 14 it will not retain itself in this raised position but will return by gravity; to its position within the carriage.

The upper edge I60 of plate I66 is relieved toward its outer edge as shown at I84 (Fig. 8), providing clearance for receiving flange IBI when the pusher. plate arm is withdrawn to the outer limit of its travel away from the knife, thereby allowing the arm and pusher plate to be completely withdrawn from the tray and swung to an'inoperative position.

The pusher plate I96 is provided with suitable work engagingspikes or teeth IN on its lower surface, and itstop surface I88 is formed with a continuous, long radius curvature such as that shown in Fig. 13. The pusher plate is mounted upon a shaft I90, the shaft being rotatably carried in pusher plate arm I'I I as shown in Fig. 8. A handle I9I is keyed to the shaft by key I92 and a locking means I93 provides for retaining the handle in operative position thereon. The shaft extends into a boss I94 formed on the pusher plate I66 and is non-rotatably pinned therein. On the outer surface of the boss a coil spring I96 is secured by means of bolt I9'I, the opposite end of the spring being secured in a suitable recess I98 in arm IIII. Spring I96 thus tends to turn thepusher plate relative to its supporting arm. A stop pin I99 is suitably secured in the pusher plate and extends into position where it engages a rib 200 on the pusher'plate' arm thus forming a stop to prevent rotation of the pusher plate relative to its arm beyond a predetermined point.

-In operation, the spring I96 is pre-loaded in assembly to provide for normally rotating the pusher plate on shaft I relative to the arm I14. This rotation continues until limited by the engagement of stop pin I99 with rib 200, this being the position of the pusher plate which will bring it;v into parallelism with the face I65 of the carriage when lowered to its operative position as shown in Fig. 13. This is the position occupied by the pusher plate when it is used primarily for pushingor advancing the -work material toward the'knife.--"When howeverit is desired to engage the-teeth I87 with the upper surface of a piece of meat or the like, which upper surface is usually;n0t-parallel with the supporting plate I65, the handle I9I "is-grasped and the pusher plate is twisted'against, theaction of spring I96 to bring the teeth-I81 intofull gripping engagement with the upper surfaceof the work material. Upon release of the hand grip the spring I96 constantly tends. to; return the-handleto the position described above in'which'it will be maintained parallelism with; the plate I 65.

rln order to receive and secure the pusher plate i ,its inoperative position, a locking pin 2 I 0 (Fig. Gris-mounted on the arm-I55 in a position be- 969m h t a The rw fac of t sh plate is provided with a guiding groove 2I2 (Figs. 13 andlglfwhich leadsin at'an angle to a deeper 3 fwhichhofwever does not extend entirely through thethickness of the pusher" plate (Fig l 3 the groove 2I2 and recess 2I3 being land 214 'which'is flush with the remainder of the face of the pusher plate. when the pusher plate is withdrawn outwardly away from the knife to the clearance position described above and held in such withdrawn position against the action of gravity, it may then be swung about shaft "2 to the inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13. When this operation is performed by the operator without turning the pusher plate shaft relative to the pusher plate arm, that is, by allowing the handle l9lto twist freely in his hand as the assembly is being swung to its inoperative position; the action of the spring 196 assures that the guide slot 2|2 will be in proper position to receive the pin 2 l0. When the pusher plate is swung around to its inoperative position, it may then be allowed to drop downward slightly on shaft I12 toward the knife, whereupon the guide groove 2| 2 receives the pin 2! 0, the latter in the final position of the pusher plate-seating within recess 2 I3 and against the land 2M to retain the pusher plate in inoperative position. The spring I96 facilitates the securing of the pusher plate in such inoperative position and avoids the necessity of having to seek for the groove in the partially concealed area beneath the carriage, and makes it possible to latch the pusher plate ininoperative position by a simple swinging movement followed by the final dropping of the assembly into latched position under the action of gravity. As shown in Fig. 13 the pusher plate is not entirely concealed beneath the tray but has been moved to a position where it does not interfere with the direct feeding of work material through the tray and does not extend laterally beyond the end of the carriage remote from the operator so that no additional space is required to accommodate the fullstroke of the carriage.

Grinding mechanism is preferably provided in the form of a detachable grinder unit 220 (Fig. 4) which comprises the usual grinding and burring wheels carried on a suitable bracket. This unit is preferably adapted to be received in operative position upon a pin 22l (Fig. 1) on the rear face of the gage plate, being moved into grinding and burring relation with the knife blade by movement of the gage plate. In order to receive the unit in inoperative position, a similar stud 222 is carried on the lower portion of plate l5l as shown in Fig. 4, with the grinding unit being received inwardly of the plate and thus in a fully protected position.

From the above it will be clear that the present invention provides a simple and highly satisfactory construction of slicing machine of the gravity feed typ It will be evident that the machine is constructed to make it easy to maintain the same in a clean sanitary condition, the main base member providing an impervious cover which completely overlies the mechanism and thus prevents passage of scraps or other particles downwardly to the space beneath the machine. Likewise a passage of substantial dimensions is provided rearwardly of the knife, extending between the knife support and the base itself, into which the scraps dropping from the knife may fall and from which they may be easily removed when the machine is cleaned. It will be noted that this passage is of substantial dimensions and is relatively free and clear of obstructions so that this cleaning action by the operator is greatly facilitated.

It is further found important in such grav ity'fe'd machines to assure that the carriage will be firmly supported, and relatively free of play toward and away from the knife. It will be evident from analysis of the structure that the forces present vary substantially in both direction and amount, depending upon the size and physical location of the work material in the carriage and the pressure applied by the opera-' tor, and in accordance with the present invention a construction is provided in which the carriage is firmly supported so that even a re= ver'sal of direction of application of the forces with respect to the twisting moments applicable to the guide rods does not result in excess friction or a tendency toward'binding, and does not develop play.

It is further desirable with such gravity feed construction to provide a predetermined position which will be normally assumed by the pusher plate, that position being the one in which it is parallel with the work receiving carriage. Thus when the pusher plate is picked up by the operator it is always normally in a proper position. By the application of manual pressure the operator can easily turn the pusher plate to bring it into full engagement with the upper surface of the work, but upon release it assumes its normal position and thus facilitates the handling of the material. Further this normal position is such that when the pusher plate is swung out of the carriage with the handle being allowed to turn in the hand of the opera tor so that the pusher plate retains its normal position relative to the arm, it will assume a relationship which is proper to establish latching engagement of the pusher plate with the retaining abutment. Thisi's particularly advantageous in the gravity feed machine inasmuch as the latching is desirably effected under the action of gravity and it is desirable to establish and retain the parts in proper relative position where the latching engagement will be facilitat'ed.

The entire machine is constructed simply and in such manner as to contribute to the maintenance of 'all parts in a proper working relation and substantially eliminating looseness or play and assure the maintenance of smooth working conditions and .proper adjustment throughout.

Reference is made to our applications Serial Nos. 46,614 and 46,615, filed August 28, 1948, as divisions of this'application and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatiis, and that"changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in theap'pended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a slicing machine of the gravity feed type, a hollow base, -arotary knife, a work supporting carriage,-a pair of rods for supporting said carriage for reciprocating movement relative to said knife, said base --liaving a pair of apertures in erle wall thereof for receiving said rods therethiough, said base having a pair of internal sockets int-he opposite wall thereof for receiving one end "of'e'achf'of said rods, each of said rods having a circumferential groove "there inadjacent the other'end'thereof, apair' of clips receivable iii said grooves, spring means for urg= ing said rods in a direction 't'o cause said clips to cegrippeaptween thewalls of said grooves "a'hd 13 said apertured wall of said base when said ends of said rods are received in said sockets to secure said rods in position in said base, and means releasably securing said clips together to prevent accidental dislodgement thereof from said grooves.

2. A food slicing machine of the gravity feed type comprising a horizontal main base, a carriage having a work supporting surface, means at one side of said base supporting said carriage with said surface inclined downwardly for gravity feeding of Work material thereon and with the lower portion of said surface overhanging said base, a rotary knife, mounting means for said knife on said base, said mounting means being spaced from said carriage supporting means by a substantial distance to support said knife from the rear thereof with said knife in inclined position substantially perpendicular to said carriage surface and with a major lower portion of said knife extending laterally beyond said mounting means and overhanging said base below said carriage surface, a guard for the edge of said knife secured at the rear thereof to said mounting means and projecting therefrom toward and in encompassing relation with the periphery of said knife in overhanging relation with said base portion below said knife, said portion of said base between said mounting means and said supporting means being curved downwardly knife guard to form a trough ext nding lengthwise of said base and same.

3. A food slicing machine of the gravity feed type comprising a horizontal main base, a carand said mountmg means, said trough having both ends thereof mounting means and above said lowermost guard portion to pro- 14 vide a through passage of correspondingly substantial effective area below and rearwardly of the periphery of said knife and guard for receiving the hand of the operator in cleaning said machine.

4. A food slicing machine of the gravity feed type comprising a horizontal main base, a carriage having a work receiving surface, means supporting said carriage for reciprocating movement on said base with said surface inclined downwardly at a substantial angle to the horizontal for gravity feeding of work material thereon, a cover on said base for said carriage supporting means, a rotary knife, means on said base mounting said knife from the rear thereof with knife substantially perpendicular to said carriage surface, a guard for the secured at the rear thereof to said mounting means and projecting therefrom towards and in encompassing relation with the periphery of said knife in overhanging relation with said base, said base including a portion forming a trough extending lengthwise of said base between said mounting means and said cover in a direction generally transverse of the rotary tion beyond the lowermost portion of said knife and knife guard to underlie a major portion of said knife and knife guard, the portion of said trough beneath said knife guard being curved downwardly about a substantial radius to a level spaced below the lowermost portion of said guard by a distance not substantially less than one-half the width of said trough to provide adequate space in said trough for receiving the hand of the operator below said knife guard for cleaning said trough.

DAVID A. MEEKER.

ERNEST A. REUSSENZEHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 145,406 Meyer Aug. 13, 1946 1,124,962 Sayer Jan. 12, 1915 1,710,906 Van Weenan Apr. 30, 1929 1,860,382 Campbell May 31, 1932 1,866,240 Van Berkel July 5, 1932 1,971,825 Lucey Aug. 28, 1934 2,004,601 Folk June 11, 1935 2,008,822 Freudenberg July 23, 1935 2,010,765 Kendrek Aug. 6, 1935 2,050,786 Folk Aug. 11, 1936 2,126,380 Folk Aug. 9, 1938 2,151,852 Johnston Mar. 28, 1939 2,151,862 Meeker Mar. 28, 1939 2,199,267 Meeker et al Apr. 20, 1940 2,355,354 Wood Aug. 8, 1944 2,355,487 Van Berkel Aug. 8, 1944 2,400,279 Wood May 14, 1946 2,412,962 Brookhart et a1 Dec. 24, 1946 

